Layan Nassar is a 23-year-old girl, who graduated from Birzeit University last year. She is now a nutritionist who has found herself behind bars in yet another arbitrary detention. Layan was captured from her home on April 7 at 4 am by Israeli occupation forces, and this was not the first time, as she was previously detained on July 7, 2021, and released on August 26, 2021. The occupation forces that violently stormed her family’s house offered no explanation or indication as to what charges they were making against her, or even indicate to the family where she would be held captive. It is believed that she is being held in Damon prison inside "Israel" where access is being denied to international aid organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Nasser’s arrest follows a pattern of targeting students for their activism, as highlighted by the UN panel’s declaration of the unlawful and arbitrary imprisonment of students like Layan Kayed, Ruba Assi, and Elia Abu Hijleh. This systematic repression of student voices is evident in the staggering number of students detained at Birzeit University alone, with approximately 74 students held during the 2019-2020 school year. Many young prisoners who have been taken have reported poor hygiene conditions and food quality, being denied bedding and hygiene items for women, and others. 

The situation is further exacerbated by the use of administrative detention, which allows for prolonged imprisonment without charge or trial. This practice, criticized by Archbishop Justin Welby in his condemnation of Nasser’s most recent arrest, violates fundamental human rights and undermines the principles of justice. The archbishop’s condemnation of Nasser’s most recent detention echoes his previous criticism of "Israel’s" treatment of Palestinians, exposing the lack of accountability and disrespect for international laws. 

Around the world, prisons are made for criminals and violent outlaws. Most people around the world respect law and order and believe in accountability to whoever commits a crime. But we know that many righteous people have found themselves imprisoned, John the Baptist, Jesus, the disciples, Saints, and human rights activists. Layal is another beautiful person who is being punished for believing that her people have the right to express themselves and defend their dignity. Palestinians are not free, as some are in small jail cells like Layan, while others are in an open-air prison.  

As Palestinian Orthodox Christians marked the holy easter, seeking hope through their faith that one day the apartheid walls will come down, Layan Nasser continues to see her dreams behind bars. From the time she was abducted around Catholic Easter, she remains one of the many captured Palestinian prisoners this Orthodox Easter as well.